Stroke Physiotherapist inNorthampton inNorthampton PUBLISHED WED 23 OCT 2024

Specialist Stroke Physiotherapist (Band 6) 12-month fixed term/secondment.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a senior Stroke Physiotherapist (band 6) to join the Inpatient Stroke Therapy Service at Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust. This post is a full time position and is a 12 month fixed term contract to cover a secondment (internal secondments will be considered). The post is part of a 7-day service working with both hyper-acute and rehabilitation patients delivering high quality interventions based on current evidence and clinical guidelines.

The successful candidate should have the skills to manage a daily caseload within a fast-paced environment, working alongside other Therapists and members of the highly skilled MDT in the progression of stroke patients' recovery. Your development will be supported through supervision sessions, scheduled training, and opportunities to attend external training. The successful candidate will be expected to be proactive in their own Continued Professional Development to further enhance their specialist skills required for this role.

The successful candidate will also be expected to be involved in departmental governance, peer groups, and contribute to projects linked to the Northamptonshire Countywide Stroke Board and East Midlands Integrated Stroke Delivery Network.

To provide specialist Physiotherapy to stroke patients across a 7-day service.

To carry out specialist Physiotherapy care for patients who have had a stroke, completing physical and functional assessments of patients including those with a complex presentation.

To work closely with Occupational Therapy colleagues to provide joint therapies assessments and treatment plans enabling efficient use of Therapies Team resources and meet recommended guidelines.

To manage a clinical caseload and attend board rounds and other ward meetings to pro-actively contribute to the timely and efficient discharge planning process for patients.

To contribute to the day-to-day management and supervision of the Stroke Therapy team including Therapists and support workers.

To support student education, primarily as an educator for Physiotherapy students but also to contribute to the development of other students for example Occupational Therapy, and nursing students.

Support newly registered staff during the preceptorship period taking on the role of preceptor, completing regular reviews and clinical supervision.

Support to band 7 and 8 Therapy colleagues in the day-to-day running of the service / department including staff appraisals, clinical projects, benchmarking, teaching and service evaluation

Undertake evidence-based audit and research projects to further own and team's clinical practice.

Be an active member of the respiratory on-call service.

About us

Corporate Responsibilities

Build safe working knowledge of all equipment used to provide safe patient care and participate in maintenance and training

Supporting Clinical and Patient Excellence

To work autonomously within the clinical team to provide excellent physiotherapy care to a diverse client group.

Manage a caseload independently supporting junior staff with their caseload management.

To increase and expand knowledge base and experience, clinically and non-clinically in stroke.

To undertake a comprehensive neurological assessment of patients using advanced clinical reasoning skills and manual assessment techniques.

Formulate and deliver a complete specialised Therapy programme based on sound knowledge of evidence-based practise and treatment options.

Ensure that all patients have a documented problem list and goals that the patient/relatives have been involved in creating

To participate in 7-day working patterns, including Bank Holidays

To be an active member of the respiratory on call overnight and weekend rota

To represent the Therapy service and/or individual patients at multidisciplinary team meetings. This will include discussion of patient care, progress and involvement in discharge planning

Support junior members of staff to develop the skills required to effectively attend and contribute to MDT meetings and board rounds.

Use clinical reasoning to balance risk, safety, patient choice and eligibility for services

Communicate effectively with patients, their families, carers, members of the multi-disciplinary team, Therapy colleagues and other agencies

To provide spontaneous and planned advice, teaching and instruction to colleagues, relatives, and carers when appropriate to promote understanding of the aims of therapy.

Respect the individuality, values, cultural and religious diversity of patients and contribute to the provision of a service sensitive to these needs

Lead on appropriate service development activities through participation in team meetings and service development sessions

Propose changes to processes and procedures carried out within the Therapy Service to improve effectiveness and efficiency

Exercise good personal time management, punctuality and consistent reliable attendance

Submit accurate timesheets within set department timescales for additional hours worked

In the absence of Therapy colleagues through planned or unplanned leave, work flexibly to meet the prioritised needs of the Therapy service both within the specific clinical areas and across all service areas

Delegate work tasks appropriately to junior Therapy staff and Administrative Support staff

Take the lead in training and education of other staff and students within the Therapy services

Where appropriate, take the lead in the induction of new staff

Maintain accurate and up to date records of clinical interventions, consistent with legal and organisational requirements

Provide formal clinical reports for the multi-disciplinary team as required

Collect, record and submit accurate clinical and personal statistical data in line with departmental requirements and guidelines

Maintain and develop professional knowledge and skills to ensure fitness to practice as an Physiotherapist, in line with HCPC standards

Regularly attend and participate in Therapy service staff meetings

Identify own learning and development needs which will contribute to the production of a Personal Development Plan

Build an ongoing Continuing Professional Development portfolio, reflecting on and recording learning outcomes of development opportunities

Demonstrate the ability to critically evaluate current Physiotherapy research and apply this to practice in conjunction with the Therapy team

Contribute to audit and research activity within the Therapy Service as appropriate

Review and reflect on own practice and actively participate in regular supervision and annual appraisals

People / Management Excellence

To deputise for band 7s as necessary to ensure smooth running of service.

To be involved in band 5 and support workers training, appraisals, and reviews

To develop and demonstrate basic leadership skills through the management of designated projects.

Support the probation process for new starters

Supporting Financial Excellence

To make best use of NHS resources

Professional Responsibilities, Quality Assurance and Monitoring

To work within Trust Core Competencies and objectives (Knowledge and Skills Framework based CSP guidelines, HCPC standards and code of conduct and to have good working knowledge of national and local standards and policies

Complete all work necessary to maintain registration and encourage others to do so.

Monitor own and others quality and standard of practice by appraisal and review.

Maintain and monitor standards on health and safety, consent, note keeping, clinical governance, continuous professional development on both a personal, professional and departmental level

To supervise and teach students on placement.

Policy and Service Development, Research and Development Responsibilities

To use information such as Clinical governance, RCP, NICE, and other clinical specific guidelines and evidence of best practice to assist in producing working guidelines, competencies and objectives to develop the service.